Is Your Loved One Ready for Homecare?

Signs They Might Need Extra Support

By BEN ADEL | Special to the Palisadian-Post

It’s not always easy to tell when your loved one is ready for homecare. Changes can occur gradually, and at first it may not be obvious that extra assistance is needed.

There are, however, some signs that you can look out for. Here are a number of ways you can tell if your loved one might be ready for extra professional support at home.

Missing Mealtimes: Is your loved one skipping meals? Have you noticed a change of appetite? Have they lost weight? These can all be signs of a change in their eating habits.

Mobility issues, forgetfulness and lack of access to shopping opportunities are just some of the reasons your loved one’s diet could suffer. Homecare assistance can ensure that they eat regularly and maintain healthy food habits.

Frequent Accidents: Regular accidents can be another tell-tale sign of issues. Does your loved one seem to be having regular slips, trips or falls? A caregiver can help to prevent accidents by identifying and addressing accident hazards such as clutter, unstable furniture and lack of lighting. They can also offer an extra hand to walk, move or climb stairs.

Medication Mishaps: Do they seem to be getting their medication dosage wrong? Are they missing doses or failing to take them completely?

Not taking medication or even overdosing can have serious consequences. A trained homecare worker or home health nurse can ensure that all prescriptions are filled, the correct dosage is taken and your loved one is safely accessing the drugs they need.

Problems with Day-to-Day Tasks: Is the house falling into disarray? Are there piles of unopened letters and out-of-date food in the fridge?

Common issues, such as cognitive decline and physical limitations, can make keeping a home more challenging. Homecare professionals can help reduce the stress of taking care of general tasks such as cleaning, tidying and laundry.

Changes in Personality and Appearance: If a loved one who previously took care of themselves begins looking disheveled and seems to have lost interest in how they look, it may be a sign their health may be suffering and needs added attention. Similarly, if they appear to be acting different, losing interest in socializing, becoming disconnected from family or friends, and experiencing mood swings, this may mean they are ready for some extra support.

Isolation: Mobility issues, dwindling social support and sight or hearing problems can all cause many older people to lose confidence and become isolated. Visits from a homecare professional can provide a welcomed relief from the loneliness they may feel by providing important companionship. They can take your loved one on shopping trips, play games or simply accompany them while watching TV.

Have the Homecare Talk with Your Loved One: Change may not always be welcomed with open arms. But if your senior parent or loved one is displaying signs that professional homecare may be a valuable option, remember to stay positive when you open the conversation.

Homecare and home health services can be incorporated gradually, with family as involved as they would like to be.

Homecare Helps the Entire Family: Homecare continues to help millions of seniors each year. Caregivers provide extra support not only to parents and loved ones, but to the family members who give so much of themselves to help those parents and loved ones.

Consider homecare an invaluable strategy of adding compassionate and experienced team members to the important, trusted resources that go into caring for your loved ones.

Ben Adel is cofounder of Luxe Homecare, a Pacific Palisades-based homecare and home health agency offering services in Los Angeles. They provide round-the-clock support, including registered nurses (RN and LVN) and rehabilitation services. Contact the Luxe team at 310-459-3535 or visit luxehomecare.com.